Today's Word for Friday October 15, 2010
GRACIOUS
DEFINITION
Merciful; compassionate; kindly; courteous.
SCRIPTURE
"For you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1 Peter 2:3 RSV Translation.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. Ecclesiastes 10:12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Do you know many people today that are consistently gracious? To be gracious in the evil world that we live in is most difficult. When we as children, youth or adults go about our daily activities it is most difficult for us to always be gracious. People and situations can irritate and upset us to the point that we are not gracious.
God has given us a standard, as believers that we should be living by each day. Let us look at a few scriptures. In Exodus 34:6 God was speaking to Moses concerning the Children of Israel and preparing Moses in how the Children of Israel were to honor and serve Him (God) by obeying His commandments. God was making it clear to Moses that He expected the Children of Israel to worship and honor Him with obedience, love and graciousness. When Moses asked to see the Glory of God the scripture says, and the Lord passed before him and proclaimed "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth."
God made it clear to Moses that He expected the Children of Israel, just as He does for us today, to be gracious in all we do, because He is gracious.
In Luke 4:22 we read about when Jesus returned to Nazareth, the place where He grew up as a carpenter's son. They all new Jesus as a boy and did not know Him as their Messiah. Jesus began to talk to them by saying that the scripture was being fulfilled with His return to Nazareth and He knew that He was being rejected by many in the place that He grew up. After Jesus had spoken to them, "all that bore witness to Him marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth." And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
Despite being rejected, misunderstood or even persecuted Jesus set a standard for us as believers to be gracious in whatever situation we are in. As parents we need to begin with ourselves and learn to be gracious to all we meet, whether it is family or complete strangers. Probably the most difficult task that we have is teaching our children to be gracious. This will be difficult because they will have to deal with peers who are not gracious and to react and defend one's self with graciousness is most difficult.
One of our daughters came home from junior high school one day, totally upset. Someone had taken her brand new blazer jacket out of her gym locker during gym class. Although she was well aware that most all of her peers in the school were more well-to-do than our family, we tried to comfort her with the thought that perhaps the girl needed it more than she did. In addition, we told her to think of the guilt the girl would feel whenever she would wear the blazer. Regardless of our words of consolation, she wasn't feeling very gracious toward the unknown thief.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
Help me to respond to the examples You have given me in Your Word to be gracious to everyone I meet today despite how they may treat me. May I, through my words and deeds, honor Your name and may others see Christ through me.
October 17, 2010
Prenting: October 14, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday October 14, 2010
PARENTING
DEFINITION
The raising of children by their parents.
SCRIPTURE
Children, obey your parents, for it is right that you should. "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment with a promise attached, in the words: "that it may be well with you and that you may live long in the land." You fathers (and mothers), again, must not goad your children to resentment, but give them the instruction, and the correction, which belong to a Christian upbringing. Ephesians 6: 1-4 N.E.B. Translation
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
From the time God created Adam and Eve it was His plan and purpose that children be raised in a family. Sadly, many people have children today but have neglected their parenting responsibilities. By definition above, parenting is the rearing of children. Rearing children means taking care of them, training them and supporting them to maturity. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "train a child in the way he should go." By definition training means developing or forming the habits, the thoughts or behavior of a child.
It is a blessing and a privilege to be a parent but with being a parent comes major responsibility. After we had children we realized that our greatest responsibility was parenting our children. We always made our children our first priority.
If we came down to a choice of whether a ministry, a job, a social event or are children, the children always came first. Today in many families very rarely will you see that commitment.
Look at these four verses above and you will see several very important principles we need to adhere to as parents and as children. Children have a responsibility to obey and honor their parents. This does not come naturally to a child. They must be taught to be obedient and respectful. In today's society this principle is constantly not adhered to by children or their parents. How can we expect children to obey and honor if they are not taught and do not have Christian role models to follow?
When we were living in Korea working with orphans we were impressed with how respectful children were and not just children but adults as well. The Korean honor and respect their elders, and children do imitate their role models.
In order to effectively parent it is necessary to discipline but discipline must be just and fair. Fathers (and mothers -- we have added) are advised in Ephesians to be careful not to do things in their teaching and correcting of their children to cause resentment. Parents are to instruct and correct in love and with consistency.
Parenting is a daily job and requires time, not just time but quality time. To parent effectively it must be scheduled. Otherwise the days go by with parents spending little or no time with their children. We learned from our parents that dinner time was a good time to keep clear for parenting. Therefore when we began our life together, we took time every day at dinner to do several things. Most importantly it gave our family a lengthy time together every day to get to know each other and to build a bond. The result, we believe today is that they are all very close and communicate regularly with one another. They are support systems for each other.
Being together every night for dinner gave each person a time to talk. We always asked each child to share with us the events of the day and they did. They included the good and the bad and even asked for prayer concerning troubling issues. It gave each of us a chance to listen. We as parents became aware of concerns and issues developing so we could talk further one on one with that child. You notice we said that it gave each of us a chance to listen. This included the children listening to each other. By doing this they became supports for each other through their crisis and issues in life. Even today when there is a need they are there for each other.
Most important at every dinner, every night we spent time reading the Bible and memorizing scripture. This allowed us all to learn to listen to God daily through His Word for direction for our lives. The Bible became relevant for each of us and a habit was developed to read God's Word. We closed every dinner time with a time of prayer. By doing this we could take to our Lord our concerns and needs and we learned as a family to thank God for all He gave to us. We learned as a family to communicate with God through prayer knowing that this provided the strength we needed to survive in the evil world we lived in.
As parents and now grandparents we challenge you as a parent reading this devotional to learn Godly principles to parent your children, as we learned them. God will honor your parenting in ways that you never believed. It is never too late in life to start. Do it today!
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
As a parent I come today to You asking You to give me wisdom in directing my family to apply the principles You have given us in the Bible to live by. We also pray for other families that they may realize the importance of growing their family with these Godly principles.
PARENTING
DEFINITION
The raising of children by their parents.
SCRIPTURE
Children, obey your parents, for it is right that you should. "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment with a promise attached, in the words: "that it may be well with you and that you may live long in the land." You fathers (and mothers), again, must not goad your children to resentment, but give them the instruction, and the correction, which belong to a Christian upbringing. Ephesians 6: 1-4 N.E.B. Translation
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
From the time God created Adam and Eve it was His plan and purpose that children be raised in a family. Sadly, many people have children today but have neglected their parenting responsibilities. By definition above, parenting is the rearing of children. Rearing children means taking care of them, training them and supporting them to maturity. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "train a child in the way he should go." By definition training means developing or forming the habits, the thoughts or behavior of a child.
It is a blessing and a privilege to be a parent but with being a parent comes major responsibility. After we had children we realized that our greatest responsibility was parenting our children. We always made our children our first priority.
If we came down to a choice of whether a ministry, a job, a social event or are children, the children always came first. Today in many families very rarely will you see that commitment.
Look at these four verses above and you will see several very important principles we need to adhere to as parents and as children. Children have a responsibility to obey and honor their parents. This does not come naturally to a child. They must be taught to be obedient and respectful. In today's society this principle is constantly not adhered to by children or their parents. How can we expect children to obey and honor if they are not taught and do not have Christian role models to follow?
When we were living in Korea working with orphans we were impressed with how respectful children were and not just children but adults as well. The Korean honor and respect their elders, and children do imitate their role models.
In order to effectively parent it is necessary to discipline but discipline must be just and fair. Fathers (and mothers -- we have added) are advised in Ephesians to be careful not to do things in their teaching and correcting of their children to cause resentment. Parents are to instruct and correct in love and with consistency.
Parenting is a daily job and requires time, not just time but quality time. To parent effectively it must be scheduled. Otherwise the days go by with parents spending little or no time with their children. We learned from our parents that dinner time was a good time to keep clear for parenting. Therefore when we began our life together, we took time every day at dinner to do several things. Most importantly it gave our family a lengthy time together every day to get to know each other and to build a bond. The result, we believe today is that they are all very close and communicate regularly with one another. They are support systems for each other.
Being together every night for dinner gave each person a time to talk. We always asked each child to share with us the events of the day and they did. They included the good and the bad and even asked for prayer concerning troubling issues. It gave each of us a chance to listen. We as parents became aware of concerns and issues developing so we could talk further one on one with that child. You notice we said that it gave each of us a chance to listen. This included the children listening to each other. By doing this they became supports for each other through their crisis and issues in life. Even today when there is a need they are there for each other.
Most important at every dinner, every night we spent time reading the Bible and memorizing scripture. This allowed us all to learn to listen to God daily through His Word for direction for our lives. The Bible became relevant for each of us and a habit was developed to read God's Word. We closed every dinner time with a time of prayer. By doing this we could take to our Lord our concerns and needs and we learned as a family to thank God for all He gave to us. We learned as a family to communicate with God through prayer knowing that this provided the strength we needed to survive in the evil world we lived in.
As parents and now grandparents we challenge you as a parent reading this devotional to learn Godly principles to parent your children, as we learned them. God will honor your parenting in ways that you never believed. It is never too late in life to start. Do it today!
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
As a parent I come today to You asking You to give me wisdom in directing my family to apply the principles You have given us in the Bible to live by. We also pray for other families that they may realize the importance of growing their family with these Godly principles.
Suffering: October 13, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday October 13, 2010
SUFFERING
DEFINITION
Feel or undergoing pain; sustain damage or loss.
SCRIPTURE
"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Philippians 1:29
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms." James 5:13
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
We receive daily e-mails from several areas of our world, as well as from here in America telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.
We receive reports of churches being bombed, Pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.
We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.
Children are being persecuted at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards and wants to live by them and is told they cannot. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.
There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, "For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.
Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past. The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: "But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings." For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.
In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we have a responsibility to suffer for Jesus. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering -- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every crisis and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful -- when we are suffering or not -- we are to sing praises to God.
In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will protect you.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face today because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me..
SUFFERING
DEFINITION
Feel or undergoing pain; sustain damage or loss.
SCRIPTURE
"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Philippians 1:29
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms." James 5:13
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
We receive daily e-mails from several areas of our world, as well as from here in America telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.
We receive reports of churches being bombed, Pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.
We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.
Children are being persecuted at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards and wants to live by them and is told they cannot. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.
There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, "For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.
Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past. The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: "But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings." For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.
In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we have a responsibility to suffer for Jesus. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering -- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every crisis and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful -- when we are suffering or not -- we are to sing praises to God.
In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will protect you.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face today because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me..
Speech: October 12, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday October 12, 2010
SPEECH
DEFINITION
The power of speaking; a particular utterance; an address; a language.
SCRIPTURE
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Colossians 4:6.
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Matthew 12:36.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
You can usually judge a person's character by listening to his or her speech. As grandparents we are always interested in what is going on in the lives of our 20 grandchildren. Dottie was talking with one of our grandsons and she asked him how he liked his new school. He responded very favorably but went on to say that he had a mean girl in his class. Soon it was made clear that the reason he regarded the girl as mean was because of her speech. She called him degrading names and they were hurtful.
Children's behavior is a reflection of what they are taught in the home. It is the parents role to teach children how to speak with kindness and humility. In today's world the speech we, adults and children, hear is almost always degrading. A lot of what we hear would be R-rated in the movies. The problem is that what we hear on the street becomes part of us and influences how we ourselves speak.
As Christians we must be concerned about our speech. Paul instructs us to "Let our speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one." We must always be gracious and respectful in what we say. In Ephesians 5:4 Paul further admonishes us about our speech telling us, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Most importantly, Jesus holds us accountable for our speech as we read in Matthew 12:36 (above).
What kind of speech do your children hear around the house? Is God's name taken in vain? Are friends, family and neighbors talked about in a negative and degrading way? What is taught about speaking to God?
Jesus was speaking to the devil, as recorded in John 8:45, when He said, "But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me." In verse 47, He goes on to say to Satan, He who is of God hears God's Words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. God speaks to the hearts of believers daily through His Word and we hear Him only if we are in tune with Him.
Our Lord wants to speak daily to those of us that believe on Him. Are you talking to Him daily, if not, why not? The only way that we are going to grow in the Lord is to listen to Him speak to us. And more important, if you are not communicating to God daily how can you survive this world and the evils we face daily?
Remember one is known by their speech. Words communicate much about a person. Take a good look at the words you use and the attitude that you show when you speak those words. Are they hurtful, profanity, egotistic or kind and loving? Your speech can drive people to the Lord or drive people away from the Lord.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
Help me to learn from Thy Word to evaluate my speech so that every word that proceeds from my mouth will glorify Your name. Help me to understand that the memory verse for this week, pray without ceasing, will help me control my speech so that others will see Christ in me.
SPEECH
DEFINITION
The power of speaking; a particular utterance; an address; a language.
SCRIPTURE
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Colossians 4:6.
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Matthew 12:36.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
You can usually judge a person's character by listening to his or her speech. As grandparents we are always interested in what is going on in the lives of our 20 grandchildren. Dottie was talking with one of our grandsons and she asked him how he liked his new school. He responded very favorably but went on to say that he had a mean girl in his class. Soon it was made clear that the reason he regarded the girl as mean was because of her speech. She called him degrading names and they were hurtful.
Children's behavior is a reflection of what they are taught in the home. It is the parents role to teach children how to speak with kindness and humility. In today's world the speech we, adults and children, hear is almost always degrading. A lot of what we hear would be R-rated in the movies. The problem is that what we hear on the street becomes part of us and influences how we ourselves speak.
As Christians we must be concerned about our speech. Paul instructs us to "Let our speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one." We must always be gracious and respectful in what we say. In Ephesians 5:4 Paul further admonishes us about our speech telling us, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Most importantly, Jesus holds us accountable for our speech as we read in Matthew 12:36 (above).
What kind of speech do your children hear around the house? Is God's name taken in vain? Are friends, family and neighbors talked about in a negative and degrading way? What is taught about speaking to God?
Jesus was speaking to the devil, as recorded in John 8:45, when He said, "But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me." In verse 47, He goes on to say to Satan, He who is of God hears God's Words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. God speaks to the hearts of believers daily through His Word and we hear Him only if we are in tune with Him.
Our Lord wants to speak daily to those of us that believe on Him. Are you talking to Him daily, if not, why not? The only way that we are going to grow in the Lord is to listen to Him speak to us. And more important, if you are not communicating to God daily how can you survive this world and the evils we face daily?
Remember one is known by their speech. Words communicate much about a person. Take a good look at the words you use and the attitude that you show when you speak those words. Are they hurtful, profanity, egotistic or kind and loving? Your speech can drive people to the Lord or drive people away from the Lord.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER
Help me to learn from Thy Word to evaluate my speech so that every word that proceeds from my mouth will glorify Your name. Help me to understand that the memory verse for this week, pray without ceasing, will help me control my speech so that others will see Christ in me.
Unity: October 11, 2010
OCTOBER 11. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 11, 2010.
UNITY
DEFINITION:
The state of being united or uniform; harmony among elements; agreement; absence of diversity.
SCRIPTURE:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus and His Father were in perfect unity. Jesus said of their relationship in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.” Jesus desire was that there be unity among His disciples and among all believers. This was His prayer in John 17:20-21, “My prayer is not for them alone (His disciples), I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.”
If Jesus was concerned about unity in those days, think how much more so He is now. The whole world is in a state of turmoil and division. God is not the author of turmoil and confusion. His desire for us is that we dwell together in unity.
Unity must begin with those who believe in the Lord. As a believer in Jesus each of us need to work on unity in our lives. It must begin in our home. This is a real challenge for parents in today’s world with all the corrupt outside influences.
It is the responsibility of parents to develop an atmosphere of unity in their home. In order to have unity in the family there must be love, love that is Christ-like and love that is unselfish. Love that is unselfish and Christ-like brings harmony and a desire to work together for common goals.
Successful family units are a rarity today. The breaking up of the family is a serious problem in our society. With the breakdown of the family comes moral decline. Not many today have experienced what the Psalmist has written above, “how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
We have referred many times in these devotionals to the “ME” generation we live in. This is because everyone thinks of themselves only and goes their own direction every day. There is a lack of communication among family members in most homes today. For some the excuse is that they are all just too busy. This is not an acceptable excuse. We can make time in our lives for the priorities we want and family unity is not a priority for many families.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians chapter 2 that as believers we will develop unity with our families and other believers through humility. He tells us that we must be like minded, have the same love for one another and be of one accord. We are not to let things to be done through selfish ambition or conceit (this is the ME generation philosophy) but esteem others better then ourselves. Paul also reminds us that if we want unity we need to not only look out for our interests but for the interests of others.
You need to take time now to evaluate your priorities. Do you love your family and others as Christ loves you? Is your family in one accord on the daily issues you face in life? Do you esteem others better than yourself? Do you look out for only your interests?
As parents we constantly reminded our children by our words and more important by our actions the importance of living our lives in unity as the Psalmist suggested --- how pleasant it was for brethren to dwell together in unity.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER:
Help me to be the leader in my family, my workplace, my community and my church to encourage others to live a life of unity governed by humility. Thank You for the inspiration You gave the Apostle Paul to challenge us to live a life of unity through humility.
UNITY
DEFINITION:
The state of being united or uniform; harmony among elements; agreement; absence of diversity.
SCRIPTURE:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus and His Father were in perfect unity. Jesus said of their relationship in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.” Jesus desire was that there be unity among His disciples and among all believers. This was His prayer in John 17:20-21, “My prayer is not for them alone (His disciples), I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.”
If Jesus was concerned about unity in those days, think how much more so He is now. The whole world is in a state of turmoil and division. God is not the author of turmoil and confusion. His desire for us is that we dwell together in unity.
Unity must begin with those who believe in the Lord. As a believer in Jesus each of us need to work on unity in our lives. It must begin in our home. This is a real challenge for parents in today’s world with all the corrupt outside influences.
It is the responsibility of parents to develop an atmosphere of unity in their home. In order to have unity in the family there must be love, love that is Christ-like and love that is unselfish. Love that is unselfish and Christ-like brings harmony and a desire to work together for common goals.
Successful family units are a rarity today. The breaking up of the family is a serious problem in our society. With the breakdown of the family comes moral decline. Not many today have experienced what the Psalmist has written above, “how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
We have referred many times in these devotionals to the “ME” generation we live in. This is because everyone thinks of themselves only and goes their own direction every day. There is a lack of communication among family members in most homes today. For some the excuse is that they are all just too busy. This is not an acceptable excuse. We can make time in our lives for the priorities we want and family unity is not a priority for many families.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians chapter 2 that as believers we will develop unity with our families and other believers through humility. He tells us that we must be like minded, have the same love for one another and be of one accord. We are not to let things to be done through selfish ambition or conceit (this is the ME generation philosophy) but esteem others better then ourselves. Paul also reminds us that if we want unity we need to not only look out for our interests but for the interests of others.
You need to take time now to evaluate your priorities. Do you love your family and others as Christ loves you? Is your family in one accord on the daily issues you face in life? Do you esteem others better than yourself? Do you look out for only your interests?
As parents we constantly reminded our children by our words and more important by our actions the importance of living our lives in unity as the Psalmist suggested --- how pleasant it was for brethren to dwell together in unity.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray without ceasing.
PRAYER:
Help me to be the leader in my family, my workplace, my community and my church to encourage others to live a life of unity governed by humility. Thank You for the inspiration You gave the Apostle Paul to challenge us to live a life of unity through humility.
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